England miss out on the World Cup final after Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez spark a late 2-1 comeback for Argentina.
Last updated:England missed out on their first World Cup final since 1966 after a dramatic late turnaround saw Argentina secure a 2-1 semi-final victory in Atlanta. Anthony Gordon had put the Three Lions ahead early in the second half, but a tactical retreat by manager Thomas Tuchel invited unstoppable pressure from the holders.
Tuchel’s decision to switch to a back five backfired completely, as England surrendered possession and failed to record a single touch in the opposition box after scoring. Inspired by Lionel Messi, Argentina capitalised on the passivity. Enzo Fernandez levelled with a stunning 25-yard strike in the 85th minute, before substitute Lautaro Martinez headed home a 92nd-minute winner from a Messi cross.
While Argentina progress to the final, Tuchel confirmed he will remain in his post to lead England at Euro 2028. Captain Harry Kane expressed his devastation, admitting that trying to hold onto a narrow lead at this level was simply not enough.
Tournament Schedule (UK Time)
Following the dramatic results in the semi-finals, the final fixtures for the tournament schedule are now locked in:
| Match | Teams | Date & UK Time | Venue |
| Third-Place Play-Off | England vs France | Saturday, 18 July – 22:00 | Miami |
| World Cup Final | Argentina vs Spain | Sunday, 19 July – 20:00 | New Jersey |
England must now pick themselves up to face France on Saturday night, whilst Lionel Scaloni’s side prepare to defend their global crown against Spain on Sunday evening.
England vs Argentina Prediction
The highly anticipated 2026 World Cup semi-final between England and Argentina in Atlanta promises to be a scintillating encounter. Thomas Tuchel’s England have shown immense resilience, relying on tactical flexibility and game-changing substitutions to advance past the likes of Mexico and Norway. However, the Three Lions have been far from secure at the back. Having fielded a different defensive line in every single match, they have leaked six goals in the tournament and failed to register a clean sheet during the knockout phases.
Conversely, Lionel Scaloni’s Argentina arrive as the tournament’s top scorers with a staggering 17 goals. While they boast a fearsome attack led by the magic of Lionel Messi and Julián Álvarez, the reigning champions have also demonstrated glaring defensive frailties. La Albiceleste have been breached in all three of their knockout fixtures, with their fullbacks frequently exposed by pacey opposition. This plays perfectly into the hands of England’s dynamic wide men, such as Bukayo Saka and Anthony Gordon.
Furthermore, the midfield battle will be pivotal. Jude Bellingham has been the standout performer for England, dominating the pitch with five goals and an assist in his last four outings. Given Argentina’s lack of mobility in the centre of the park, Bellingham is primed to heavily exploit those gaps.
Ultimately, with both nations possessing an abundance of attacking brilliance coupled with undeniable defensive vulnerabilities, a tense but high-scoring affair is on the cards. Both teams to score has successfully landed in every English knockout match and Argentina’s last four games.
My Bet: Back Over 2.5 Goals @ 37/27 on bet365
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